Denmark shuttler Mia Blichfeldt has once again come to criticize the ground conditions of the India Open 2026 following her victory in the women’s singles event held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. However, she was pleased with the wide area where the tournament was held. In earlier editions, the event took place at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium, but this time it was changed, resulting in poor and degrading conditions.
On Tuesday, January 13, Blichfeldt won her inaugural match of the India Open 2026 in the women’s singles event after defeating Taiwan’s Chiu Pin-Chian by sets of 21-19, 21-11 in Round of 64. It was last year in the 2025 India Open Super 750 when she had initially raised the concerns of unhealthy conditions of the venue to the organizers.
Blichfeldt said, “Last year I made a complaint about the conditions because I think it’s not fair to the players. A lot of us get sick and that means we cannot participate in the tournament the week after. It’s something that needs to be better because it’s not good for the players to be in a hall where there are birds and bird shit on the floor and stuff like that.”
“This year I’m only eating in my room actually to try to not get sick,” she added.
Despite being impressed by its size, Blichfeldt felt the conditions of the stadium where she played her match was still somewhat poor. Taking this concern post-win, the Denmark shuttler urged the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to look into the matter for any major events scheduled next.
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She said, “I actually hoped it was going to be better than the other hall. I think it’s still very dirty and really like unhealthy conditions for all the players. Everyone is warming up in like two layers of pants and winter jackets and gloves and heads.
“It’s not good warm up preparations for a player who has to go on court and move fast and go into splits. I know everyone is doing their best to make the conditions better for players, but I think there’s still a way to go. And I hope it’s gonna be better for the World Championship here in summer,” she also mentioned.
With the first win claimed, Blichfeldt will next face Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon on January 15 for the Round of 16 match.
